McKenzie Health System will switch to Epic, one of the most widely used electronic health record systems in the country, on Saturday, October 10, across the hospital and all McKenzie clinics.
The implementation is being supported by MyMichigan Health through the organizations’ affiliation and represents an important investment in how health information supports patient care at McKenzie.
An electronic health record is the digital version of a patient's chart: medical history, medications, allergies, test results, and visit notes. With Epic, that information comes together in one shared record. Whether a patient is seen in the emergency department, the lab, or a McKenzie clinic, their providers and care team will have the same up-to-date information, helping them make informed decisions and provide safe, coordinated care.
"This is much more than a technology change," said Steve Barnett, President and CEO of McKenzie Health System. "Epic will help us strengthen the way information follows our patients throughout their care and give our team another important tool to support safe, high-quality care. Getting here has taken a year of preparation, and I'm proud of how our team has stepped up, completing hours of training while continuing to care for patients every day. We're also grateful to the MyMichigan Health team, whose expertise and dedication have kept this project on track from the start."
As McKenzie transitions to the new system, patients may notice staff confirming information that has been provided previously. This is an important part of making sure information in the new electronic record is complete and accurate. Patients may also experience some additional questions or slightly longer processes as employees become familiar with new workflows.
“We know learning a new system takes time,” Barnett added. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our patients and community as our team makes this significant transition.”
Epic also brings MyChart, a secure online connection to health information that gives patients more timely access to their medical information and helps keep that information connected across their care. Because Epic is widely used by healthcare organizations, it can also make it easier for participating providers to securely access and share relevant patient information and results. For
patients who receive care from multiple providers or health systems, that improved connectivity can help close gaps in communication and give both patients and clinicians quicker access to the information they need. This means services completed at McKenzie may be more readily visible to other participating providers using Epic, helping patients keep more of their care connected.
The October 10 launch will occur across McKenzie Health System’s hospital and clinics at the same time, creating a more connected electronic health record experience throughout the organization. Due to the transition process, outpatient lab orders will not be processed on Saturday, October 10, but will resume as normal on Monday, October 12.
For updates and additional information about the Epic transition, visit www.McKenzieHealth.org. Patients with questions or who are experiencing issues accessing MyChart after October 10 can call the MyChart Support Help Desk at 855-476-1298, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.